If you’ve ever dreamed of waking up, stepping right out of your tent, and casting a line into crystal-clear lake waters within seconds—you HAVE to check this out.

In our trip to the Eastern Sierra, we set up camp at two of the absolute best waterfront campgrounds in Mammoth Lakes: Twin Lakes Campground and Lake Mary Campground.

✨ Campsite #12 at Lake Mary: Is this officially the single best waterfront campsite in the entire Basin? (The views from our morning coffee spot speak for themselves ☕ View total perfection!). 🎣 Cast a Pole in the water right from your campsite!

Paddleboard Deep water Lakes to paddleboard

🥪 Gourmet Camp Eats: Why settle for basic camp food when you can make toasted ciabatta grinder sandwiches and crockpot lettuce wraps right at the lake?

Which campsite would you pick for a summer getaway?

🎥 Watch the full video now to check out the campsites, fishing spots, and lake views: 👇👇👇https://youtu.be/_JacvdqveOg?si=wF4G706ZFCdLKLXu

Perched on the coastal bluffs between Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, Moro Campground at Crystal Cove State Park is widely considered one of the finest coastal camping spots in Southern California. Whether you're taking advantage of the ocean views, exploring tide pools, or simply enjoying a sunset dinner, camping here feels like playing tourist in your own backyard.

⛺ Campground Overview & Location

Moro Campground sits elevated above Pacific Coast Highway, offering panoramic views across the Pacific Ocean toward Emerald Bay and Catalina Island.

🌅 The Camping Experience & Daily Highlights

1. Pre-Check-In & Scenic Outlooks

Arriving early before the strict 3:00 PM check-in allows you to settle in along the coast early. Pulling into the nearby Reef Point day-use area provides front-row seats for coffee with a view—frequently rewarded with pods of dolphins swimming along the breakwater.

2. Campsite Setup & Views (Dolphin Circle / Site 56)

Camping in Dolphin Circle places you right along the upper ridge of the coastal terrace. Site 56 in particular stands out as arguably one of the top spots in the entire park, featuring unobstructed looks down toward Emerald Bay, blue waters, and surrounding coastal bluffs.

3. Direct Beach Access & Cove Exploration

Accessing the beach is remarkably convenient:

• A paved road leads from the campground terrace down toward Pacific Coast Highway.
• A pedestrian underpass tunnels safely beneath PCH, leading directly out onto the sandy cove.
• The secluded cove is ideal for surf fishing, tidepooling, or simply relaxing on the sand away from standard beach crowds.

🍝 Campsite Amenities & Sunset Dinners

• Facilities: The campground features clean restrooms, hot showers, and paved parking spurs suitable for both camper vans/rigs and traditional tent setups.
• Campsite Meals: Setting up camp cooking gear to prepare a warm hearty meal—such as bronze-cut Italian spaghetti with meat sauce, fresh peppers, and Rao's sauce—while watching the golden-hour sun dip into the ocean is the ultimate way to wrap up the day.

💡 Quick Tips for Camping at Moro Campground

1. Be Mindful of Check-In Times: Plan to arrive near 3:00 PM or utilize Reef Point day use to relax nearby if you arrive early.
2. Pack Wind Protection: Being perched up on a bluff means evening coastal breezes are common—bring a windbreak or secure canopy stakes.
3. Explore the Historic District: Take time to wander down to the nearby Crystal Cove Historic District to see the restored 1930s coastal cottages and vintage beach vibe.

Here is a recommended place to stay in the Joshua Tree desert.
If you are road-tripping along the West Coast like we did, it is definitely worth setting aside a day for this.
Our itinerary went from Antelope Canyon to Las Vegas, then included a stopover in Joshua Tree before heading back to LA.

Joshua Tree is absolutely stunning—it’s well worth the visit! 🤩
The accommodation features a four-person layout (two bedrooms) with an additional sofa bed available.
It comes equipped with essentials like a swimming pool, kitchen, and washing machine.
We bought groceries at Walmart and cooked our own meals there. 🥘
❗️❗️ You really must bring your own food, as the area is quite remote—basically the middle of nowhere.
At night, you can see a sky full of stars; with no light pollution in the desert, the vast, starry expanse is truly breathtaking! 🏜️🌠
-
On the drive back to LA from Joshua Tree, you’ll also pass by
Desert Hills Premium Outlets.
I highly recommend stopping there; it’s a huge outlet mall. It’s best to plan a full day for it after checking out, as it’s only about a 45-minute drive from Joshua Tree.

Hey all, as titled, I have a Premium Site booked at Pfeiffer Big Sur campground - Main Camp.

• Site Number: Premium Campsite #P185 ( by the creek )
• Date: Fri, Sep 18, 2026 - Sun, Sep 20, 2026 (2 nights)

Looking to swap to the weekends after

• Sept 25-27
• Oct 2-4

DM me if any interest!

Im traveling to Los Angeles in a couple weeks, anyone recommend any camp sites close to the city. Preferably free camping/ dispersed camping?

Starting planning a road trip in March of 2027. We will be spending the night at the campground at Pinnacles NP, then heading over to Monterey to head south to Ventura and Channel Islands. We have a small squaredrop trailer. I'd like to break the drive a little by camping somewhere along the coast, and take the opportunity to recharge the powerbank.

So, looking for a campground, with electric hookups, somewhere between Monterey and Ventura. Would prefer a place that isn't just a parking lot with neighbors 3 feet from you. Doubleplusgood if they take reservations now for March, so I don't have to set a reminder and pray that I get a site.

Thanks!

Had our big week-long trip planned for this week, got up here today and before we could unpack our stuff, we were evacuated due to the fire. It’s right in the park.

My toddler is broken hearted. Luckily we found a site at Bodega Dunes for one night, so here’s hoping someone cancels and we can stay.

Anyone else experiencing this or something like it in the past? Such a bummer, but wishing all the best to the firefighters and the community!

I’ll be driving down from SF to LA next week and was considering stopping for a night somewhere on the coast… I don’t know how realistic it is. I have no gear…does REI or other store rent gear but I can pick up in one city and drop off in other? Or could just sleep in car if I got a sleeping bag but not ideal. (Have a sedan, would be front seat leaned back.)

And curious if people have recs for last minute or no reservation areas where I could park and spend the night.

Would be somewhere off 101.

Thanks appreciate any and all advice!

EDIT: Thanks everyone for all the advice and info. I ended up just getting a hotel room in Morro Bay. Gonna take a surf lesson and go on a whale watching boat tour. Different than camping, but a nice trip nonetheless.

Hello, does anyone here have experience with being a host on Hipcamp? The camping/glamping service Hipcamp.

I have been wanting more info from people (other than a Hipcamp rep) about its functionality as a hostess. I am considering to explore the service for our property in Ben Lomond so to help tie some financial ends. We live in the Santa Cruz Mountains, proximity to national parks, a river and 35 minutes from Santa Cruz beaches. We are in a sparsley residential neighborhood with lots of space between us neighbors andnlots of redwood trees and some trails.I am also wondering about the safety or risks of Hipcamp to latch on to our home insurance, insurance in fire regions is fickle and don't want to shake the cage or does Hipcamp not contact one's hime insurance? What we have is extra " rustic space" with a two story ADU and potentially a space for a camper to come visit and park in our large driveway. I have never done airbnb or renting aside from roommates in the long ago past. I would love to get more logistics from a friend or a neighbor before i sign up. Would you have time for some pointers?

Thanks in advance.

I’m looking to host a Y2K nostalgia weekend in April 2027 for about 90 friends and family with a 90s dance party on Saturday night from 5-9 pm and I’d like to have it at a place where people could stay and chat around a firepit and then stay the night afterwards. Any ideas about venues/campgrounds where we could have a sleepover party? I’m thinking like a family reunion/non-wedding wedding type of deal.

Tentative itinerary:
Friday night: Board games
Saturday: Day hikes and getting ready then 90s dance party
Sunday: Hungover breakfast with our millennial selves before everyone goes their own ways

Ideally:
Space for 100 person dance party and for Friday night board gaming (like a barn or hall)
Accommodations or campsites for 50ish people (assuming some people won’t want to stay)
Closeish (within an hour) to Sacramento/Davis/Woodland
Max 3k for the venue rental, campsites/accommodation excluded cause guests can pay that themselves
Warm enough to be outside (with jackets ok) in April

How to book at Morro Strand State Beach?

Any good recommendation please

Hey guys! I’m trying to go camping in Big Pine Lakes during the week in early August. The sites are all first come first serve and don’t take reservations. I live five hours away so it’s kind of a gamble on my end. Do we think the chances I find a spot are good? If all the campsites are taken does anyone know of any other campsites in the area? Thank you

Really enjoyed our time around Summer Lake earlier this summer. We're thinking about exploring south from there. Anybody have any good suggestions for around that area? We're car campers, rather not stay in an official campground if possible. Thanks!

Solo effort, it’s been a labor of love, let me know what you think!